Are All the Giants Dead?

by Mary Norton, Brian Froud (Illustrator)

Young James journeys from England to the fairy-tale world of princes and princesses, witches and fairies, giants and giant-killers, and invades the lair of the last giant to free a princess from an evil spell.

Genres: Fantasy, Childrens, Fiction, Adventure, Fairy Tales, Magic, Young Adult

192 pages, Paperback

First published June 17, 1975

About the author

Mary Norton (née Pearson) was an English children's author. She was the daughter of a physician, and was raised in a Georgian house at the end of the High Street in Leighton Buzzard. The house now consists of part of Leighton Middle School, known within the school as The Old House, and was reportedly the setting of her novel The Borrowers. She married Robert C. Norton in 1927 and had four children, 2 boys and 2 girls. Her second husband was Lionel Boncey, who she married in 1970. She began working for the War Office in 1940 before the family moved temporarily to the United States.

She began writing while working for the British Purchasing Commission in New York during the Second World War. Her first book was The Magic Bed Knob; or, How to Become a Witch in Ten Easy Lessons published in 1943, which, together with the sequel Bonfires and Broomsticks, became the basis for the Disney film Bedknobs and Broomsticks.

Mary Norton died of a stroke in Devon, England in 1992.

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was looking for Bed-knob and Broomstick to purchase, I came across this title by Mary Norton. The title grabbed my attention, but the illustrator, Brian Froud, made me want to buy the book. Visions of Labyrinth danced through my head -- hello, Goblin King!

So, of course, I bought the book. And read it. And loved it. Are All the Giants Dead? serves a healthy dose of fantasy to the imaginative and brings to life (and ages) many favorite fairy tale characters. For example, Beauty of Beauty and the Beast, left behind her svelte figure and took on middle-aged proportions not very different from mine. I had to love that. The book is a great romp as a read. It also was surprisingly educational. I thought Jack-of-the-Beanstalk was Jack-the-Giant-Killer. Not so! They originally were two separate people. Clearly, I am not the only one who mixed them up, because a movie came out last year entitled Jack the Giant Killer, but is about Jack of the Beanstalk.

The illustrations are perfect -- as can be expected from one of the best illustrators of goblins, hobgoblins and fairies of our age. Visions of Labyrinth will dance through your head.

[Sierra The Book Addict · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a wonderful spinoff for classic fairytales mashed together alone with some British style, well written and very happy, but also a very quick and delight read for younger readers. Did enjoy this re-read

[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe I've read too many modern rewrites of fairy-tales. Maybe Norton just tried too hard to create something meaningful. I do like some aspects of it, for example how we're just dropped into the story and are left to trust that explanations will happen as we go along. I do not like how those relevations never occur - for example why are they killing off all the unicorns? and who is right about the trustworthiness of the red shoes? and how does Mildred have the talent to travel in both worlds, and why does she bring James along? Is this a sequel after all??

I enjoyed reading it, but I'm forgetting it already. Another sign that it's not worth recommending. Sorry.

[Lisa of LaCreeperie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fairy tale about fairy tales....

One of my most cherished childhood memories is seeing this book in a shadowbox display in the halls of my elementary school. I absolutely obsessed over the cover art (illustrated throughout by none other than Brian Froud) and committed every detail if it to memory.

It wasn't until about 15 years ago that I happened upon a copy of this magical book in a local bookstore, snatching it off the shelf and clutching it to my chest while fighting back tears of joy.

Parents, I beg you to make this part of your children's personal library. Big kids of all ages, this one is for you too. Don't miss it! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story about stories and fairy tales by a famous author with great illustrations (by Brian Froud)? Yes, please.

I picked up a paperback version at a local library sale for like a dollar. I think the kids calls this “winning.”

Familiar with Norton’s other books but not this volume, I was intrigued from the start. And sucked in by the back of the book blurb, I decided to read it right away not really knowing what to expect. It turned out to be a clever, if simple, story about courage and belief; and about fairy and folk tales.

In classic fairy tale form James faces his fears and saves the princess – just not in exactly the way he might have imagined.

A few of the things I liked about the story:

I like the way Norton just drops you in the story without a lot of back-story or introduction. Throughout the story the writing gives you a sense that this is just one of many adventure James and Mildred have had together and that there is a lot more to this world than this one story. This gives the world and the characters some depth and adds a sense of mystery.

There is also a laid back sense about the story – it has a rather old fashioned style. It is not constant action or fast paced adventure. Instead, there is a sense of exploration – the ability to imagine and experience a magical world – but also a sense of danger lurking of the path.

But the story is told from James’s perspective and so we see him trying to make sense of this world and at the same time finding his limits and talents. When confronted with a friend who needs help he instinctively sets out to help her even if it means confronting a witch. And despite worries about being alone, he decided to stay with the two Jack’s rather than the safety of Mildred. And he gently guides Dulcibel along in their quest. He confidently climbs the crevice and when the rains force a change of plans he wisely avoids trying to climb back down.

In the end, James works up the courage to ask Dulcibel to face her fears and agree to marry the toad (using the talisman as protection). James believes this is what is best for his friend. But, as is so often the case in fairy tales, it does work out for good but not in the way James expected.

It really is a simple tale but one where you enjoy the journey as much as the destination. The allusions to fairy tales, the way the characters interact, the descriptions of the magical world and the language its inhabitants use, and of course the great illustrations all make this short story enjoyable.

A classic I am very happy to have stumbled upon.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

VERY STRANGE BOOK! Basically, I read this because of the Froud illustrations - and they are pretty good - but the story is very odd. Its kind of a literary mashup, a bit of a where are they now fairy tale tale, but it falls so flat and has none of the wit nor invention that we have all come to expect since WICKED. Stick to the Borrowers, I guess, if you are going to read Norton.

[Elle · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's one of those endings! This was really sweet. It was a simple little Fairytale, adorable from start to finish.

[Eskana · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good novel for younger kids (maybe 8-12) written by the author of the Borrowers. The main point of this book seems to be to involve classic fairy tale characters in a bit of a story, so it helps to know who they are- mainly Jack and the Beanstalk and Jack the Giant Killer, but others as well (as well as less well known ones, like the Red Shoes and Great Hans and Little Hans).

A pretty standard kids' adventure, although without much of the adventure bit. James is a young boy taken to some kind of "happily ever after" Land by a friend named Mildred, who introduces him to different fairy tale characters. This isn't a huge bit of the plot, since apparently James is into science fiction and doesn't know much about fairy tales, but apparently this happens a lot with Mildred so it's more of a passing thing.

Spoilers Ahead, with brief plot synopsis

The actual plot of the book takes about 8 chapters to get to- the princess and the frog Princess, named Dulcibel, is trying to get out of marrying a frog, and so James decides to help her by finding a she-frog for the frog. They end up getting into trouble and are saved by Jack-the-giant-killer and Jack-of-the-Beanstalk, whom James had met previously. The End.

That's literally it. Okay for younger readers, but otherwise, not really worth the time.

[Martyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another worthy addition to Mary Norton's published writings - a small but very respectable body of work. On this first reading it doesn't hold quite the same charm for me as The Borrowers series, or the Bedknobs and Broomsticks books, but it's pleasurable nevertheless. I'm not sure whether I'm very keen on Brian Froud's illustrations or not. I've nothing against him as an illustrator, and in themselves his illustrations are quite interesting and attractive - but I'm not sure whether I'd consider them the best style for this particular book where I might have preferred it if Diana Stanley or Pauline Baynes had done the illustrations again, and which would perhaps have given a different feel to the whole adventure. All Froud's characters look like fairytale characters - even James, though he is meant to be a real boy from the real world. Froud takes it too much into a world of myths and legends and make-believe. But having said that, his one picture which does show James is perhaps my favourite picture in the whole book as it also contains the hobgoblins which are simply adorable. It makes you wish Mary Norton had been inspired to write a new story all about the hobgoblins just so that Froud could illustrate it with those delightfully cute creatures he has invented.

[SBC · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't like this at all. The main character James was all right, but all the other characters were ironic, mocked, parodies of their fairytale archetypes. James gets visited by Mildred, a journalist who seems to know all the fairy tale people and writes gossip about them. He accompanies her by leaving his body behind. On this occasion, which is not the first, they go together to meet a range of fairy tale characters familiar to us as readers, although in this setting all middle aged and fairly stupid. Dulcibel is the daughter of the Beauty and the Beast (here known as Boofy and Beau) and is under a curse that if her golden ball falls down the well she will have to marry the toad. James and Mildred go to visit the two Jacks (Jack of the beanstalk and Jack the giant killer) who are old men who run an inn together, and James, Dulcibel, and Jack adventure together. The idea was interesting, but I didn't like the parodic portrayal of the characters (also they eat unicorns!) - or the ending, and since the story didn't bring him home to his house before he woke up (rounding it off as if a fantasy journey) it made it seem like it was all just a dream - which it probably was.

[Peyton Carter · Rating 2 out of 5]

Compared to the Borrowers or Bedknob & Broomstick, this story is quite unrealized. The central characters are bland and the most compelling one leaves the story entirely. I would love to know more about this world, its politics, and the dynamics of the people, and as always, Norton's imagery is beautiful, but the tale simply lacks wonder (especially once you realize the climax has already passed and yeah... that was all). Furthermore, it lacks permanence. It fades away, as dreams are wont to do—but the kind of dream so brief and mundane that it really doesn't matter one way or the other. The concept of a fairy book world and the titular question is absolutely compelling—perhaps this will be about conquering fear and the inability to do so, or about how there is no such thing as a simple resolution. But the answer to "Are All The Giants Dead?" is—well, perhaps I've forgotten, since the protagonist certainly has.

[Scott Frank · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had this book sitting on the shelf for so long, the store I bought it from went out of business seven years ago. I'm sure I picked it up for the Brian Froud illustrations, and they were probably the best part of it.

This book almost made me wonder if it was initially intended to be in a different form? Serialized, perhaps? Is it part of a seris? Things like who the heck Mildred is and what she does feel like part of a larger series of stories, but...you can't tell that here. The narrative picks up almost in the middle of the story, and wraps up very fast, with a long slow bit in the middle. Definitely odd. I like the characterizations of the two Jacks though, very well done.

[JKR · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story only gets going halfway through the book, and the character Mildred seemed unnecessary and somewhat annoying. Otherwise, I would give this book four stars, if only for the following passage:

“See what I’ve brought you, Auntie!” said the woman, bending over her and raising her voice. “A nice boy come to see you.”
The old woman stared at James for a moment. Her jaws were working slowly, and her bright, dark eyes seemed to glisten. “That’s a fine boy,” she croaked at last. “I could eat a fine, plump boy like that!”

[Andrés Zelada · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lo mejor que se puede decir de esta novela corta juvenil es que ha envejecido muy mal. El niño valiente que es el único capaz de tomar decisiones en un mundo lleno de adultos competentes, la niña que es básicamente un fardo, etc. Tiene unos cuantos elementos que me han parecido muy buenos (ver cómo han envejecido los personajes de las fábulas, el personaje de Mildred, el hecho de que el niño sea un fan de la ciencia ficción al que le dan igual los cuentos), pero se insertan en una trama demasiado acartonada.

[Sharon]

A boy who loves science-fiction is led through the world of fairy tales instead, each night in his dreams. He meets the heroes of past adventures, now aged and forgetful, and discovers not everyone has always told the truth. Supplemented by excellent illustrations by Brian Froud, this novella from 1975 would have been a treasure to my young self if I had stumbled across it in a book store. It feels like one of those books that is meant to be a secret kept between friends. I am too old to love it as much as I would have when I was twelve, but it was still a pleasure.

[Siskiyou-Suzy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm halfway done with this book and don't understand the premise very well at all. I feel like I'm guessing at it -- and I think I'm probably right -- but I shouldn't feel like I'm still guessing at the premise halfway through the book. I love fairy tale-tinged stories, but this one is a massive disappointment. It's like poorly done wish fulfillment. Not a fan, and I'm surprised it has such good reviews.

[Charlotte]

a "kid goes into fairy tales" story. The beginning was kind of clumsy and off-putting--a kid is dragged of to fairy tale world by random woman named Mildred with no backstory. Happily when, toward the middle, it actually started to be a story as opposed to just visiting, it got better. The main boy character became an actor in events involving the frog prince, and the last of the giants, that Jack the Giant Killer hadn't been able to dispatch.

[slauderdale]

Anodyne. A shame, because I quite like Mary Norton. Not enough with Mildred, and what, after all, was the point of having a character like her if she was going to be absent for the bulk of the book? The absolute best scene is that beside the well: weird and forboding. But so much of this book was anticlimactic and I just couldn't quite see the point of it. Nice illustrations by Froud, but I would have liked more.

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summer Reading Challenge : re-read a book you loved when you were younger

I won this book at school for coming top in one of my subjects. It takes me back to my younger days, the fantasy, the fairy tales and the ability to dip into them.

It's a short book for children but I still fall in love with the characters.

[Beka · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is very different from most of the Mary Norton that I've read so far. While the idea is imaginative, the writing was a lot harder to get through than usual. Still enjoyable, but took much longer than I expected.

[Kara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Weird sort of “where are they now?” Fairytale rendition which seems like it is aimed at kids but the language is above the age group it seems aimed at. Redeemed by Brian Freud’s illustrations, the premise was better than the actual plot.

[Catina Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book from a friend for my 10th birthday. The year was 1983 and this book was published in 1975. A happy Birthday note from Kathleen and Mrs. Rink is written inside. I've had it for 37 years!

[Abby · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute little fairytale playing on a couple common tropes.

Definitely simple and written for a younger audience. So not a ton of substance here, but the main character did his best to do the right thing. I also liked the pictures ☺️

[Alexandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this story much better than The Borrowers or Bed Knob and Broomstick. I think her narrative voice is just more interesting when set to more fantastical worlds.

[P.S. Winn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Head into a fairy tale world where it may just take the last giant to free a princess. Mary Norton is a great author of amazing books great for children, young adults and even adults.

[K.S. Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book because Brian Froud did the illustrations, which are gorgeous! I am going to see if I can find a print of one in particular. With regard to the story, I enjoyed it.

[Jane · Rating 2 out of 5]

There was probably a time when this fractured fairy tale was considered fresh and clever. Now is not that time.

[MaHfEr · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.7🌟cutie and nice adventure for kids… it could be longer thou. I enjoyed the plost twist heheh

[Alycia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable! Written in a very dream-like manner. Perfect YA fantasy quick read.

[Zirus Gatman · Rating 5 out of 5]

La idea sobre escribir acerca de los personajes de cuentos de hadas ya en su vejez me parece un punto de vista fascinante, donde ya el mundo de fantasía poco a poco va desapareciendo.